Shortly after losing the services of defensive midfielder, Kholosa Biyana to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) has announced the signing of forward Noxolo Cesane.
The Gugulethu-born player returns to the coastal team after almost a year abroad where she ran out for Division One side Stade de Reims in France, and then moved to Tigres in the Liga MX Femenin in Mexico – becoming only the second Banyana Banyana player to play in the league, after forward Jermaine Seoposenwe, who at the time was with FC Juarez, but has now found a new home with FC Monterey.
Cesane left the Cape Town outfit in September last year after helping the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana win the elusive CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations two months earlier (July 2022) in Morocco.
But her time in Europe was not as exciting as she initially hoped it would be due to being a bit-part player. And when an opportunity arose to find employment elsewhere, she did not hesitate, with Mexico calling, signing for the remaining five months of the season.
The Capetonian announced her departure from the Americas shortly before the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Now she returns to a team she had called home for several years before moving overseas.
Cesane re-joins the Blues who are currently second on the table with 48 points, two behind log leaders and reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
She did not travel with her new teammates on Saturday (26 August) for the Hollywoodbets Super League 1-0 win over the University of Johannesburg in Soweto, but is expected to feature in the home match against Ma-Indies on Saturday (2 September) at 15h00.
With the Brazilians focusing on the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers 2023 in Durban until 8 September, UWC, who have a game in hand, will go top with a win against the Limpopo side over the weekend – and will hope that doesn’t change even with the return of the defending champions.
By Matlhomola Morake
